66--Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation/notice of intent for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Part 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only notice of intent and a written notice of intent will not be issued. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Leica Microsystems Inc. The notice of intent number being issued as NOI4115. This Notice of intent document and its incorporated provisions are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-24. This acquisition will be processed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is not a small business set-aside. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 541710, which has a business size standard of 500. The NIAID intends to procure TCS SP2 Confocal Microscope upgrade. Leica is the manufacturer of the current system. Replacement parts must be compatible with existing equipment FAR 6.302-1. The NIAID has been studying what cells in draining lymph nodes present antigens to primary CD8 + T-cells following infection with various viruses, whether exogenous or endogenous proteins are presented to primary ant-viral CD8 + T-cells and how these factors change with virus type and forms of antigen encoded by the virus. Intravital microscopy is essential to obtain knowledge of the actual presentation events that occur in vivo. To examine cells even as close as a couple hundred of microns beneath the surface of a lymph node, multi-photon microscopy is necessary. The upgrade requested is necessary to enable multiphoton capabilities for the existing Leica SP2, serial number 195138 Confocal Microscope. The intravital microscopy is performed as part of Project No. Z01-AI 00081-06-LVD, Virus induction of primary CD8 + T cell responses. Place of delivery NIH/NIAID, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; FAR 52.212.3 Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-4 Contractor Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items. A completed copy of provisions at FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items must be included. This action will be under the authority of Section 4202 Conger Cohen Act of 1996, as set forth in FAR 6.302-1 Needed to continue ongoing experiment in progress. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database prior to award. Registration is available via the Internet at www.CCR.gov. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This is not a request for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes they can perform the above requirements they may submit a statement of capabilities. Offers must be submitted no later than 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), September 15, 2004 to Ms. Tawana Parker at (301) 594-3419. Delivery through Postal Service the address is NIH/NIAID/AMOB, 10401 Fernwood Drive, Suite 2NE70, Room/2NE70G, MSC/4812, Bethesda, Maryland 20817-4812. Electronic submission will not be accepted. Collect calls will not be accepted.